Soe, by Carl Schimmel (for solo cello)

Soe for solo cello

Carl Schimmel

Soe for solo cello

Carl Schimmel PROGRAM NOTES Soe is titled after one of the Maenads of Greek mythology, the wild women who were followers of the god of wine, Bacchus. The work uses three harmonic/melodic ideas, each of which uses notes from one of the three unique chords which can be formed by combining stacked fifths (e.g., C-G-D) and stacked major thirds (e.g., C-E-G#). The first theme uses an insistent repetitive idea, together with a leaping motive; the cello’s power and range are highlighted here. The second harmonic idea consists simply of alternating seconds. These “B” sections are fairly static harmonically but provide space for the cellist to showcase the cello’s broad expressive capabilities. The third and last theme is a chromatic and intense melody which displays the cello’s lyricism.

Superimposed on these harmonic ideas is the rhythmic layout of the work. A rhythmic row (and its fifteen cycles) is used which contains all sixteen possible four-note combinations of long and short notes, without repeating any combination. Interspersed among these rows are the sixteen inversions of these cycles, using only quarter notes and eighth notes. The harmonic form is related in that no three consecutive sections are the same as any other three consecutive sections. Although the form, harmonies, and rhythms are highly organized, these formal considerations provide only a skeleton for what is intended to be an emotional and turbulent work.

Soe *

Allegro feroce 138

etc.

1

Solo Cello

(break)

6

> ord.

sul pont.

molto ritard. diminuendo

dolce 3

Quasi una cadenza 12

ca. 80 arco pizz.

subito

18

24

30

(open)

3 36

sfp 80 42

In strict time

poco accel.

Tempo I 138

pizz. arco

accelerando poco a poco

sfp

cresc.

*PERFORMANCE NOTE: Accidentals apply only to the note which immediately follows.

arco

pizz.

47

pizz.

arco

molto ritard.

Quasi una cadenza 53

ca. 60 arco

pizz.

3

59

3

poco rit.

crescendo poco a poco

a tempo

appassionato

65

pizz.

71

delicato

In strict time

arco

arco

ca. 120 pizz.

pizz. arco subito

dolce

sul pont. arco

77

pizz.

pizz.

sfp

sul tasto arco pizz.

arco

pizz.

arco

Quasi una cadenza pizz.

82

3

accelerando

gioviale

87

ca. 132

arco

sfp

intense

" !

intense

3

gioviale -2-

# !

3

gioviale

93

$ intense ord.

ca. 138 col legno battuto

99

col legno battuto

In strict time

ten.

ord.

138

% poco accel.

%

sfp

cresc. molto

105

&

arco

pizz.

111

> sul pont.

>

subito

& subito

subito

ord.

crescendo

Piu Mosso

porta.

117

feroce ord. col legno battuto

123

piu

pesante

insane

Quasi una cadenza 3

129

intense

molto appassionato

crescendo poco a poco

poco allargando

135

& diminuendo poco a poco -3-

141

&

dolce

147

&

poco cresc.

153

&

senza vibrato

159

ritardando poco a poco

Molto vivace -- in strict time 204 sul pont.

165

> ord.

poco cresc.

(con vibrato)

170

(

)

cresc. molto

-4-

cresc.